Few More Random Questions

[VBSLE]

Thought I might keep this all in one thread.

I've been tossing up wether to do some more work on my car to get it up to scratch or to sell it and buy something else. I think I have decided to keep it and buy something additional down the track--more of a daily driver. The things I am after some advice on are;

Door Locks--Turns out that almost and VB-VH(maybe more) key will open an old door lock, so before I put good stuff in the cabin I am wondering if it's possible to get a lock upgrade on the front doors.

Air Con--As expected it's past it's prime, but I'd really like to get it going again...I need my AC. It's probably the old gas, so anyone have experience switching it over and costs involved...are there aftermarket AC kits for less etc?

Paint--Was resprayed about 6 years ago(acrylic), and there is now surface rust coming through, and it is chipped in places, still a great paint job, but I don't like the blemishes. A bare Metal respray is upwards of 5k and not worth it, so is it possible to just get it resprayed in acrylic again--a few mobs that I have been to say they only use 2-pac now, i don't want to spend a fortune, just get the rust before it gets out of hand, and get the little car park dings out.

The reason I am leaning towards keeping it is because it is a lovely original car--apart from the HDT driveline and LPG conversion --which makes it a lovely car to drive and cheap to run at the same time. If I was replacing it, it would be a little corolla or something similar, and I prefer to keep my commi if I can fix these few things up at a reasonable cost. I've already sunk about $3500 into it, bought it for $4000, and have had a few offers of $4500 recently--tempting to sell while I can still get good money for it.

[gsmrobinson]

As for the rest I have no idea, but the a/c is easy....there is no a/c kit available for any of the Commodores "of the shelf" except for maybe the VL if you can still find an old kit!

As for retro-fit costs if its a Vk around $200 if its a VB-VC around $300 just to convert it, obviously the costs of repairs will depond on what is wrong. The most common things that go wrong with these models is the compressor, an average price to replace the compressor is around $900 to $1100 for the full job. Just bare in mind that there is a possibility that the hoses, evaporator and/or the condensor may have problems, I would recommend getting it looked out by an A/C tech befor you do anything else because of the costs involved. You might decide if you have to have a/c that it might not be worth the costs involved.

Hope that helps a bit. Oh while I think of it check out www.caresafe.com (.au) as they can put you in touch of a local immobilizer installer and check out the local spare parts people because i think you can get special door locks to replace the originals.

I personaly would not spend a cent until you find out how much the whole lot is going to cost and work out what a new Commodore is worth (not that there is anything wrong with the Corolla's, but I have to push the Commodores whilst in here!&#33

Kind regards Guy.
Kind regards Guy.

[Joshy]

Not sure on the AC or paint job but the door locks are an easy fix. I think the best thing to do would be to buy a set of SOLEX car locks that fit quite easily onto a VB, I drive a VH and it was a very easy job to put them in, a little filing of the original door lock hole is required but very little else. You can buy Solex locks almost anywhere now, autobarn, repco, and prolly every other car specialist store in the country, they sell for about $100 - $120 but are very good. Comes with 3 locks, 2 front doors and boot, if you are planning to keep the boot lock on due to the lion badge then a good idea provided you have a boot open button in your glovebox is to remove the actual locking assembly from the boot but leave the outside key entry section. This way the boot can only be opened via the interior button or if you purcahse an alarm(which is definately recommended) and you hook the boot open button to the alarm button on your keyring.

You can buy Holden door locks from Holden itself which no doubt would be cheaper. im not sure on how easy they are to get into or not in terms of every other Torana, Kingswood and Commodore owner before 1986.

Hope this helps